Posted by signor ferrari (192.4.227.244) on October 23, 2002 at 12:18:23:
In Reply to: Re: Claire: Mercurial, Somtimes Borderline.... posted by Jan (213.75.43.167) on October 22, 2002 at 01:00:26:
> Yes, we agree; Mercurial Style, 7w6.
> Jan
I agree with you that she is Mercurial/Borderline, but I disagree with the 7w6 diagnosis.
Riso's 7 is characterized by persistent positive mood, sometimes manic depression, and rationalization. It's rare to find a type 7 depressed, unless they feel as though they are trapped in some situation or have run out of options. Severe physical illness or physical pain can also be a source of depression for type 7, although it can also have the positive effect of deepening their experience of life.
The person you describe reminds me more of a Riso type 4 I knew in my teens: a girl who was also a cutter, who also attempted suicide, and who abused drugs. She also had turbulent relationships which contributed to her depression, although her depression and self-sabotaging behavior (promiscuity, neglect of responsibility) were also responsible for destroying her relationships.
Every Riso type 7 I've known, on the other hand, has been far more narcissistic, self-promoting, and generally upbeat. I've never known a 7 to engage in this kind of borderline behavior. Histrionic, sure. Borderline, never.
My intuition tells me there is a difference between the reasons 7s do drugs and the reasons 4s do drugs, although I can't formulate it at the moment. Sevens are just often upbeat, and I think they do drugs to maintain that high, although you never really see 4s upbeat. They do it to intensify their experience somehow, or maybe to fight off emptiness if they have a 5 wing.
So I agree with your diagnosis of borderline, but I disagree that this disorder is paired with Riso's type 7.